By Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Jim compiled his list of choice plants from thousands of RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) fruit, vegetables and herb cultivars. The RHS AGM is the highest accolade a plant can have. They are the best plants for gardeners to grow and have been selected by experts on their merits of taste, yields, resistance to pests and diseases and performance.
Speaking about his favorite herbs, fruit and vegetable cultivars, Jim said: “We're passionate about getting people growing food and enjoying the best results when gardening, which is why I've pulled together a list of some of my favorite 'Grow Your Own' plants that have performed incredibly well for me this year. They offer great results and taste wonderful. I hope the lists helps people with their plant selections and that they get fantastic results too.”
Herbs
Lemon verbena – Aloysia citrodora AGM
The leaves of this herb smell of lemon sherbets. They not only make a refreshing herbal tea, but can also be used to flavor cakes and puddings. Grow this delicious shrub either against a wall to give added protection in the winter or in a container that can be brought into a cold greenhouse.
Please do not confuse Lemon verbena with Lemon balm. The latter is Melissa officialis and they are not related. Lemon balm does make a great calming tea though and also should not be missing, in my opinion, in a garden.
Rosemary – Rosmarinus officialis 'Severn Sea' AGM
Rosemary 'Severn Sea' not only tastes good in cooking and can be used all year round, but also has an attractive arching habit with very dark blue flowers so looks great in the garden or in a container.
Purple sage – Salvia officialis 'Purpurascens' AGM
The attractive purple foliage of this culinary sage is milder in flavor than the standard sage so it combines well with vegetables and some cheese. In summer it produces very beautiful flue flowers with when combined with the leaves makes it a very attractive herb for a sunny well drained part of the garden.
As luck would have it I managed to acquire a pot of those when they were on give away to us journalists on the Press Day of the Hampton Court Palace Flower show and I just must get the growing and care instructions for it.
Vegetables
Sweet pepper 'Gypsy' AGM
This is a F1 hybrid. It crops early and is easy to grow. It grows well both in the open ground and in the greenhouse. The sweet full-flavored fruit ripen from pale green to attractive bright red.
I guess I must get hold of some seed of this in order to give it a try next year and report on the findings as to how it worked for me.
Chard Bright Lights AGM
This plant can be grown for 'salad leaves' or as full sized plants for both leaves and chards – just steam for a delicious taste. It produces a good, colorful mix, including reds, yellows and whites; very ornamental and decorative. This chard is a colorful and versatile addition to the kitchen garden or potager. It is easy to grow; likes a sunny location and light soil. Good for successional sowing for long cropping season.
Kohlrabi 'Kolibri' AGM
This is such an under-rated vegetable – and I can but agree. The can be sown and eaten in eight weeks. This variety produces small purple-skinned white-fleshed bulbs on the soil surface. All gardeners have to do is to wash and slice or grate on your salad; leaves and stems and be added to salads as well. No waste. Absolutely delicious little vegetable.
Runner Bean 'Wisley Magic' AGM
One of the best selling vegetables. It was part of the RHS Bicentenary Plant collection in 2004 and still performs brilliantly.
Fruit
Pear 'Buerre Superfin' AGM
Lives up to its name; buttery, very juicy flesh, sweet yet balanced with lots of lemony flavor. A very reliable cropper.
Apple 'Ellison's Orange' AGM
Wonderful flavor – taste of aniseed develops after picking, juicy flesh; easy to grow.
Raspberry 'Tulameen' AGM
Best raspberry in the RHS Raspberry trial; excellent flavor; disease free, but vigorous, with tall canes.
While these are Jim Gardiner/s choices other folks, including gardening experts, may have their own favorites and if you are an experienced gardener you may also have others that you would recommend.
© 2011
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